The siege of Bangkok’s international airport by protestors at the end of last year cost the regional travel industry dear.
Anti-government demonstrators took over Suvarnabhumi Airport on November 25, bringing the regional hub to a standstill until December 4 – stranding tens of thousands of travellers and disrupting the travel plans of an estimated three million people.
The protest left arrivals to Thailand down 30% year on year in December and visitor numbers remained 20% down in January.
Tourist numbers to neighbouring countries using Bangkok as a hub also fell 10%-15% at the end of the year, according to the Pacific-Asia Travel Association.
The Thailand tourism authority is seeking an additional $34 million in government funds for a campaign to bring tourists back.